# Frederick Lawrence — The Tenant of Wildfell Hall character guide

> Frederick Lawrence in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Lawrence, Lawrence, the unfortunate Lawrence, Richard, Frederick, poor Frederick

**First appearance:** 0003-ii

## Who they are

Helen's quiet, cautious brother, whose loyalty to her is real but whose dread of scandal keeps him from ever fully taking her side.

## Relationships

### [Mrs. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/mrs_markham)

_social_

Frederick, as a local gentleman and neighbor, has polite, cordial interactions with Mrs. Markham within the community.

### [Mrs. Markham](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/mrs_markham)

_social_

Frederick, as a local gentleman and neighbor, has polite, cordial interactions with Mrs. Markham within the community.

## In the story

### [The Party at the Vicarage](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/iv)

Reserved and polite; evades questions about Mrs. Graham and defends her child-rearing methods in the debate.

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/vi)

Encountered by Gilbert after his walk with Helen; their conversation hints at Lawrence's own interest in Mrs. Graham and Gilbert's changing opinions.

### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/ix)

Walks with Jane Wilson, is observed blushing; later warns Gilbert that his designs on Mrs. Graham will fail, leading to a heated exchange.

### [Chapter X](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/x)

Encountered by Gilbert on the road, accused of duplicity.

### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xiv)

Victim of Gilbert's attack; found injured and refusing assistance, later reported as recovering without revealing the cause.

### [XV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xv)

Mentioned as the owner of a book left in Helen's parlor, fueling Gilbert's suspicions.

### [XLI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xli)

Helen's brother, who reluctantly agrees to prepare a wing of the old hall as a refuge.

### [XLIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xliii)

Helen's brother, whom she writes to urgently, asking him to prepare an asylum for her and her son.

### [XLIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xliv)

Prepares Wildfell Hall for Helen's arrival, visits her, and handles correspondence with Huntingdon.

### [XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlv)

Is ill and refuses to see Gilbert, but Gilbert forces his way in to apologize.

### [XLVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlvi)

Recovering from illness, he initially resents Gilbert's interference but eventually accepts the warning about Jane Wilson. He secretly visits Helen at Wildfell Hall, causing a slight relapse.

### [XLVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlvii)

Shares Helen's letter with Gilbert and agrees to relay Gilbert's request to clear her name.

### [XLVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlviii)

Visits Gilbert and shares Helen's letter; facilitates communication between Helen and Gilbert.

### [XLIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/xlix)

Shares Helen's letters with Gilbert; his health is now restored.

### [Chapter L](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/l)

Travels to Grassdale to comfort Helen after Huntingdon's death; Gilbert hopes he will support his suit.

### [LI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/chapters/li)

Revealed as the groom marrying Esther Hargrave; Gilbert reflects on his secrecy and possible role in hindering his own relationship with Helen.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters/frederick_lawrence
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_tenant_of_wildfell_hall_se/characters